Does the T-5 pilot bearing need to come out for an AOD to go in?

[crazypete]

For the second time, I had the AOD perfectly in place, all lined up. If I pulled the left side in, the right side would pull out and same vice-versa almost as if there was a central pivot point. I've been struggling with this for 2 days so I've tried every angle, method of wiggling, pulling it in with super long bolts and I cant get both sides of it to seat.

Then I was reading and for the aod to t-5 swaps, it says install pilot bearing and I did a big OOOOOOOOH!. The front peg drum thing of the torque converter must be bashing into the pilot bearing! Am I right? If so, can this sucker be removed with the flexplate in place (I tightened it good!)? How DO you remove a pilot bearing lying under a car?